Results :
MG βENaC KO mice exhibited striking age dependent Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This phenotype was more prevalent in female than male mice, with white toothpaste-like secretions obstructing the MG orifices. In older mice, there were dramatic corneal pathologies, including corneal opacification, ulceration, neovascularization, and ectasis. There was compensatory increase in tear production in MG βENaC KO mice, and tear purine metabolites levels were lower in KO mice. Histologically, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in both acini and ducts of MG of βENaC MG KO mice, with duct enlargement, and ductal epithelial cells hyperstratification. In older mice, there was MG acinar atrophy, conjunctival epithelial epidermalization, corneal epithelial hyperkeratinization, conjunctivalization, and neovascularization. Structural morphological changes in the cornea as well as the lids were observed by SEM. Inflammation in MG and conjunctiva was confirmed by increased cytokine gene and protein expression, and positive Ly-6B.2 immunostaining. Cell proliferation assays revealed lower proliferation rates of MG cells derived from KO mice than control mice.

Conclusions :
βENaC expression in the MG plays a critical role in normal mouse MG function. Loss of βENaC function resulted in MGD, and severe ocular surface damage with time that was sex dependent. Our data suggest a pivotal role of βENaC in the proliferation and regeneration of MG cells. Further investigation on this observation may lead to new therapeutic developments for MGD.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.